Peach tree named &#39;Red Princess III&#39;

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree,  Prunus persica , broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the early to mid season and requires about 500 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in the latter part of May, with first picking on May 23, 2015. The fruit is uniform, large in size, acidic with traditional peach flavor, globose to slightly oblate in shape, clingstone in type, non-melting in texture, yellow in flesh color, virtually full red in skin color, and has a bitter tasting kernel.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘RED PRINCESS III’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, we, the inventors, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. We also grow a smaller number of open pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capture recessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree, which has been denominated varietally as ‘Red Princess III’.

In 2005 we made a first generation hybridization using ‘Bright Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,695) peach as the selected seed parent and ‘7G1’ (unpatented) yellow flesh peach as the selected pollen parent. Upon reaching maturity the fruit of this hybridization was gathered, and the seeds were removed, cracked, stratified, germinated, and grown as seedlings on their own root in our greenhouse facility. Upon reaching dormancy we transplanted them to a cultivated area of our experimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley). During the fruit evaluation season of 2009 we selected the present variety as a single tree from the group of seedlings described above. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of peach tree, we asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimental orchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to the original tree in all respects. The reproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true to type.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘Bright Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,695) peach, by being self-fertile, by having a large blossom, by having reniform leaf glands, and by producing peaches that are mostly red in skin color, yellow in flesh color, and globose in shape, but is quite distinguished from it by producing peaches that are non-melting instead of melting in texture, that have a bitter instead of sweet kernel, and that ripen about eighteen days earlier.

While the present variety is similar to its pollen parent, ‘7P1’ (unpatented) peach, by being self-fertile and by producing fruit that is mostly red in skin color, yellow in flesh color, clingstone in type, and globose in shape, but is quite distinguished from it by producing fruit that is much larger in size, that is much firmer in texture, and that matures about eighteen days later.

The present variety is most similar to ‘June Time’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,530) peach by being vigorous, by having a large tree, by having reniform leaf glands, by being self-fertile, by having large blossoms, and by producing fruit that is nearly globose in shape, nearly full red in skin color, yellow in flesh color, large in size, and non-melting in texture, but is distinguished therefrom by blooming earlier, by requiring less chilling hours, and by producing fruit that has a bitter instead of sweet kernel and that matures about ten days earlier.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present peach variety is characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the early to mid season and requires about 500 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in the latter part of May, with first picking on May 23, 2015. The fruit is uniform, large in size, acidic with traditional peach flavor, globose to slightly oblate in shape, clingstone in type, non-melting in texture, yellow in flesh color, virtually full red in skin color, and has a bitter tasting kernel.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned to display the characteristics of the skin color and form, one sliced fruit to reveal the flesh and stone, one typical tip shoot, typical leaves, and one inset to reveal a blossom as it appears during the blooming season.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics of this new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand, Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at the state of shipping ripe on May 24, 2015, on the original tree during its tenth growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were made the previous blooming season. All major color code designations are by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are also used occasionally. It is to be noted that the 2015 fruit season in California was very warm during the spring and the ripening times of almost all varieties were about twenty days earlier than other years.

-   Parentage:     -   -   Seed parent.—‘Bright Princess’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,695)             peach.         -   Pollen parent.—‘7P1’ peach (unpatented). -   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Large, reaching and maintaining a height of 12′ [3.66             m.] and a spread of 15′ [4.57 m.] after ten growing seasons             utilizing typical dormant pruning.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and             fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of             surplus top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant             should be grown on a standard commercial rootstock for             production purposes.         -   Growth.—Spreading and dense.         -   Form.—Pruned to a vase form.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to central California winters.         -   Chilling requirement.—About 500 hours.         -   Heat tolerance.—Observed to perform adequately in typical             central California climatic conditions, which typically             include extended periods of heat.         -   Drought tolerance.—Variety is developed for commercial             orchards and requires regular irrigation.         -   Production.—Productive, thinning usually necessary.         -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.         -   Bearing.—Regular bearer, with no crop failures observed.         -   Trunk.—Size. — Stocky, reaching a maximum diameter of 6″             [152 mm.] after the tenth growing season. Texture. — Medium.             Bark Color. — A Light brown [57. l.Br] and Moderate             yellowish brown [77. m.yBr] variegation with Strong             yellowish brown [74. s.yBr] crevices present. Lenticels. —             Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 6. Color: Dark orange             yellow [72. d.OY]. Average Size: ¼″ [6.4 mm.] in length. The             width is typically one fourth as much as the length. Shape:             Eye-shaped.         -   Branches.—Size. — Medium, diameter of limb is 3¾″ [95 mm.]             measured 12″ above the crotch, 2⅜″ [60 mm.] measured 12″             above the first fork. Texture. — Smooth on first and second             year wood, increasing roughness with age. Color. — 1st Year             Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st Year Wood             Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG]. 2nd Year             Wood: A Light grayish brown [60. l.gy.Br] and Brownish             orange [54. brO] variegation. Lenticels. — Number Per Square             Inch: About 20 on second year wood. Color: Light yellowish             brown [76. l.yBr]. Average Size: Medium, 1/32″ [0.8 mm.] in             length. The width is typically one fourth as much as the             length. Shape: Eye-shaped.         -   Leaves.—Size. — Medium. Average Length: 5⅜″ [136.5 mm.].             Average Width: 1½″ [38.1 mm.]. Arrangement. — Alternate.             Thickness. — Medium. Form. — Elliptical. Apex. — Acuminate.             Base. — Acute to rounded. Surface. — Smooth. Color. — Dorsal             Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG]. Ventral Surface:             Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG]. Margin. — Finely serrate.             Venation. — Pinnately net veined. Petiole. — Average Length:             7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Average Thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color:             Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG]. Stipules. — Number:             2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing tip. Average Length: ⅜″ [9.5             mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] becoming             Dark yellowish brown [78. d.yBr] with age. Glands. — Number:             Mostly 2 to 4 per leaf. Position: First pair is at the             intersection of petiole and base of blade, the rest are on             the leaf blade. Form: Reniform. Size: Medium, about 1/24″             [1.1 mm.] in length, about 1/48″ [0.5 mm.] in width. Color:             Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] becoming Moderate             reddish brown [43. m.rBr] in the center with age. Leaf Buds.             — Pointed, medium.         -   Flower buds.—Hardiness. — Hardy, with respect to central             California blooming season. Diameter. — Typically ⅜″ [9.5             mm.] 1 week before bloom. Length. — Typically ⅝″ [15.9 mm.]             1 week before bloom. Form. — Not appressed. Surface. —             Pubescent. Tip Color. — Light purplish pink [249. l.pPk].         -   Flowers.—Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single             pistil, about thirty stamens, five sepal and petal locations             alternately positioned. Type. — Showy, large. Average Flower             Diameter. — 2″ [50.8 mm.]. Average Flower Depth. — 7/16″             [11.1 mm.] when fully open. Number of Petals. — Mostly five,             extra petal fragments occur frequently, double blossoms are             occasionally observed. Petal Shape. — Circular to oval.             Petal Margin. — Entire, quite wavy. Average Petal Diameter.             — 13/16″ [20.6 mm.]. Average Petal Length. — ¾″ [19.1 mm.].             Petal Apex. — Rounded. Petal Base. — Rounded to somewhat             truncate. Petal Color. — Light pink [4. l.Pk] toward the             apex, Moderate pink [5. m.Pk] toward the base on both sides.             Anther Color. — Deep red [13. deep R] over a Light yellow             [86. l.Y] center at bloom onset. Pollen. — Anthers produce             an abundance of Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y] pollen.             Stigma Color. — Pale greenish yellow [104. p.gY]. Stigma             Position. — Typically located about even with the nearby             anthers. Sepal Color. — Grayish purplish red [262. gy.pR] on             the outer surface. The inner surface is a somewhat             translucent Pinkish white [9. pkWhite] with both Grayish             purplish red [262. gy.pR] and Vivid yellow green [115. v.YG]             areas visible. Sepal Length. — ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Sepal Width. —             ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Sepal Apex. — Rounded to elliptical to match             the sepal length and width. Sepal Margin. — Fairly smooth.             Average Pistil Length. — 11/16″ [17.5 mm.]. Average Stamen             Length. — 9/16″ [14.3 mm.]. Fragrance. — Moderate. Blooming             Period. — Early to medium compared to other varieties, six             days before ‘June Time’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,530) peach.             Onset of Bloom. — One percent on Feb. 14, 2015. Date of Full             Bloom. — Feb. 23, 2015. Duration of Bloom. — One to two             weeks, dependent on ambient temperature. Bloom Density. —             Medium to heavy. Number per cluster. — 1 to 3 with single             flowers most common. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Shipping ripe, May 24, 2015.         -   Date of first picking.—May 23, 2015.         -   Date of last picking.—June 5, 2015.         -   Size.—Uniform, large. Average Diameter Axially. — 2⅞″ [73.0             mm.]. Average Diameter Across Suture Plane. — 3⅛″ [79.4             mm.]. Average Diameter Across Cheek Plane. — 3⅛″ [79.4 mm.]             Typical Weight. — 8.8 ounces [250 grams].         -   Form.—Uniform, globose with slight axial compression,             symmetrical. Longitudinal Section Form. — Round to oblate.             Axial View. — Round.         -   Suture.—Extends from the base to the pistil point, has a             slight depression beyond pistil point. Near the Base. — A             shallow groove. Along the Side. — A very shallow trough.             Near the Apex. — A shallow groove.         -   Ventral surface.—Rounded strongly, lipped slightly toward             the apex.         -   Lips.—Equal.         -   Cavity.—Flaring, elongated in the suture plane, suture             always showing on one side, occasionally on both. Light             orange yellow [70. l.OY] stem markings typical. Depth. — ⅝″             [15.9 mm.]. Breadth. — 1″ [25.4 mm.].         -   Base.—Truncate, slightly cordate if viewed parallel to the             suture.         -   Apex.—Rounded with about twenty percent slightly mammiform.         -   Pistil point.—Mostly oblique, very short in length,             depressed within the suture on about eighty percent.         -   Stem.—Medium. Average Length. — ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Average Width.             — 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].         -   Skin.—Thickness. — Medium. Surface. — Pubescent. Tenacity. —             Tenacious to the flesh. Astringency. — Moderate. Tendency to             Crack. — None observed in wet season. Color. — Very dark red             [17. v.d.R] variegated over a Moderate reddish orange [37.             m.rO] background with a slight amount of Light orange yellow             [70. l.OY] areas if sun protected by a limb or leaf. Down. —             Moderate, very short, does not roll up when rubbed.         -   Flesh.—Color. — Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y] from the             stone to the skin with no bleeding or flecking. Surface of             Pit Cavity. — Covered with Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y]             broken fibers when twisted away from the stone. Amygdalin. —             Moderate. Juice. — Moderate, rich. Texture. — Very firm,             tough, non-melting. Fibers. — Few, fine, tough. Ripens. —             Fairly even. Flavor. — Classic peach flavor, acidic and             sweet, typically 14 brix. Aroma. — Moderate. Eating Quality.             — Very good. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone.         -   Form.—Oval.         -   Hilum.—Very narrow, oblong.         -   Base.—Truncate, somewhat oblique.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Sides.—Equal.         -   Tip.—Almost blunt.         -   Surface.—A few furrows along the dorsal and ventral edges,             pitted throughout.         -   Ridges.—Rounded.         -   External color.—Moderate orange yellow [71. m.OY] when first             removed.         -   Pit wall color when cracked.—Light yellowish brown [76.             l.yBr].         -   Cavity surface color.—Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr].         -   Average pit wall thickness.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].         -   Average length.—1⅜″ [34.9 mm.].         -   Average width.—1″ [25.4 mm.].         -   Average breadth.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].         -   Tendency to split.—None.         -   Kernel.—Form. — Oval. Skin Color. — Pale yellow [89. p.Y]             when first removed. Pellicle Color. — Grayish yellow [90.             gy.Y]. Vein Color. — Light yellow [86. l.Y]. Taste. —             Bitter. Viable. — Only with embryo rescue techniques.             Average Width. — 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Average Length. — 11/16″             [17.5 mm.]. Amygdalin. — Abundant. -   Use:     -   -   Market.—Fresh market and long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Good, fruit quality observed to remain in             good condition after 17 days in standard cold room at 36°             Fahrenheit [2° Celsius].         -   Shipping quality.—Good.         -   Resistance to insects.—No unusual susceptibilities noted.         -   Resistance to diseases.—No unusual susceptibilities noted. -   Other notes: Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the     described characteristics under the ecological conditions at Le     Grand, Calif., in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is     to be expected that variations in these characteristics may occur     when farmed in areas with different climatic conditions, different     soil types, and/or varying cultural practices. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘June Time’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,530) peach by being vigorous, by having a large tree, by having reniform leaf glands, by being self-fertile, by having large blossoms, and by producing fruit that is nearly globose in shape, nearly full red in skin color, yellow in flesh color, large in size, and non-melting in texture, but is distinguished therefrom by blooming earlier, by requiring less chilling hours, and by producing fruit that has a bitter instead of sweet kernel and that matures about ten days earlier. 